Map all Autopilot, Flight Director, Altitude Hover and Trimmer/Trimmer reset (can be a combination with some modifier key), to the flighstick.
Train how to take off and hover. Again, again, again... and again, until you feel comfortable. Then train how to use the trimmer and autopilot in a linear flight, use even the Altitude Hold autopilot (change to radar mode). After that you can train to fly with Flight Director.